Debary May Help Its Stores Look Better

The Council May Set Up A Tax District That Would Give Grants To Shops That Would Improve Structures And Appearances.

January 1, 1999|By Ann Givens of The Sentinel Staff

DEBARY - Businesses along U.S. Highway 17-92 will get a chance to spruce up their images this year, if officials approve a tax incentive program there.

The plan would turn the strip into a redevelopment district, allowing businesses there to apply for grants to make structural and aesthetic improvements. It would also mandate that the city set aside some tax revenue to pay for improvements in utilities and infrastructure that might lure new businesses to the area.

The DeBary City Council will decide what the redevelopment district's boundaries will be at its meeting Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Florence K. Little Town Hall.

``There's a strong feeling that the whole area needs upgrading,'' said City Manager Bob Mauney of the 17-92 corridor.

Here's how the plan would work: After designating the area as a redevelopment district, the city would freeze property tax values within its boundaries. Then, as the city grew and the area's tax revenue increased, the extra money would be given to businesses in grants and used to build and improve infrastructure.

The amount of money raised in DeBary might be small, but officials have said the investment would reap important dividends for the city. For example, the taxing district might help to eliminate some rundown structures.

Local business owners said they think a redevelopment district is a good idea.

``Improvements are always good for businesses, if they want to draw people in,'' said Lisa Emanuel, owner of Lisa's Party Supply.

``It's a great idea for any business,'' said Larry Self, owner of The Music Store.

DeLand established a redevelopment district in its downtown in the mid-1980s. Officials there say they think it has done a lot to improve business.

``I have seen the district improve drastically in terms of its storefronts, signs, and fewer vacant buildings,'' said Jim McCroskey, DeLand's director of community development.